5. Don’t blame the person.
Don’t in any way make them feel like the breakup is their fault. Let them leave the relationship believing it was a poor fit between the two of you.

6. Tell him or her it’s not about them.
Make it clear that he or she doesn’t have any major physical or intellectual faults. Nice people have a tendency to analyze the breakup for months. If they think it has something to do with a hook nose or lack of knowledge about Renaissance painters, they’ll beat themselves up for years.

7. Don’t continue getting physical.
Making a nice person believe there’s a chance to continue the relationship, when you have no intention of really dating them again, is just plain wrong.

8. Deliver the message clearly.
If you think the person will have a hard time leaving you alone, be as clear and business-like as possible in communicating your message that the relationship is over.